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An ex-boyfriend, driven by jealousy, is accused of orchestrating a terrifying acid attack that left a New York college student severely burned and disfigured. Following the incident, he allegedly taunted her about her injuries, according to prosecutors.
Shaquille Coke, aged 31, declared his innocence during a court appearance in Nassau County on March 24. He faces several charges, including first-degree assault, for his alleged role in a 2021 attack on a 21-year-old woman near her home in Elmont. Nassau County police apprehended him in Brooklyn.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly characterized Coke as a “jealous, possessive, and spurned ex-boyfriend” who purportedly masterminded the heinous assault after their romantic relationship came to an end.
“Together with his accomplice, Shaquille Coke is accused of executing a cruel and spiteful attack to disfigure the young woman who broke off their relationship,” Donnelly stated.
Both Shaquille Coke and Terrell Campbell face charges related to the acid attack on Nafiah Fatima. (Fatima Farooq/Facebook)
According to prosecutors, the attack unfolded on March 17, 2021, as the victim returned home from work with her mother. While the victim gathered belongings from their car, an alleged accomplice, identified as 29-year-old Terrell Campbell, approached wearing a mask, gloves and a hooded sweatshirt.
Campbell allegedly threw a cup of liquid later determined to be 70% sulfuric acid directly at the woman.
Officials say the acid seared her face and body, poured down her throat and splashed into her eye. She collapsed on the front lawn and was rushed to a hospital, where she was treated for second- and third-degree burns to her face, arms, shoulders, eye and esophagus.
The attack left the victim, Nafiah Ikram, nearly blind and struggling to speak, eat and drink in the immediate aftermath, according to 2021 reporting by the New York Post.
Nafiah Ikram walks into court as Shaquille Coke appears for his arraignment in the NYC acid attack case. (Fox 5 New York)
At the time, her father described the assault as a calculated ambush, not a random act of violence.
“No, it’s not a random attack, it’s a planned attack,” Sheikh Ikram told the Post, saying the suspect appeared to wait for his daughter to return home from work before striking.
Ikram, then a 21-year-old Hofstra University student who aspired to become a doctor, suffered devastating burns when the liquid was thrown directly at her face, her family said.
“She is very scared,” her father said in the days after the attack, adding she was unable to shower or care for herself due to her injuries.
The family, who said they had no known enemies, pleaded for answers as investigators searched for the attacker.
Shaquille Coke escorted by police after arrest in NYC acid attack case. (Fox 5 New York)
At the time, Padma Lakshmi, whom Ikram’s father worked for as a driver on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” shared the family’s fundraiser, which drew widespread support as they faced mounting medical costs.
Authorities say the case took years to build, involving extensive video evidence, cellphone data and interviews.
Investigators allege Coke met with Campbell shortly before the attack and helped coordinate it, possibly acting as the driver of the getaway vehicle.
Prosecutors also say Coke engaged in a disturbing pattern of harassment before and after the assault.
He allegedly created a fake Snapchat account to question the victim about her relationship and later used a spoofed phone number to send her vulgar messages — even mocking her injuries by calling her “Freddy Kruger.”
Coke also allegedly told police he wanted something “devastating” to happen to the victim and that “karma” would take care of her.
Shaquille Coke reacts in court during his arraignment in the NYC acid attack case. (Fox 5 New York)
“Coke said that ‘karma’ would get Nafiah, but justice has come for him,” Donnelly said.
Campbell, who was arrested earlier this year, has also pleaded not guilty to similar charges and remains in custody.
Coke is being held without bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for April 20, 2026.
Both men, who attended high school together in Brooklyn, face up to 25 years behind bars if convicted.